Motorcycle Legend Lawson Impressed By New IMS Road Course

INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008 - Motorcycle racing legend EddieLawson visited the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Jan. 29, giving thenew road course his stamp of approval.

Lawson, a native of Upland, Calif., won the 500cc World Championship in1984, 1986, 1988 and 1989. The 500cc class preceded the MotoGP WorldChampionship as the pinnacle of motorcycle road racing. Lawson touredthe Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum and was treated toseveral passenger-vehicle laps of the famous IMS oval and road course.The inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP will take place Sunday, Sept. 14on the road course.

"It looks they've been working really hard, for sure, and I wish I couldhave raced on something like that when I was racing," Lawson said. "Itlooks like they're going to have a lot of fun out there. I was wish Iwas back (and) was racing."

The visit was not Lawson's first to the Speedway - he previouslyattended the United States Grand Prix Formula One race. But there's nodoubt he'll return to the track Sept. 12-14 as bikes return to IMS forthe first time since 1909.

"To have the bikes back, and a MotoGP race to boot, I'll be here, that's for sure," he said. "You hear about (the Speedway), but when you're actually standing here you just go 'Wow.' I've been all over the world and raced on a lot of racetracks, but you come into this place, and it's awe-inspiring."

Red Bull Indianapolis GP tickets: Tickets are on sale for the inauguralRed Bull Indianapolis GP on Sept. 14, 2008.

Tickets can be purchased either online atwww.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time; on the phone by calling(800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or (317) 492-6700 locallybetween 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; or visiting theIndianapolis Motor Speedway Ticket Office on the first floor of the IMSAdministration Building at 4790 W. 16th St. in Indianapolis from 8a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

All tickets for this event are three-day tickets, with both reserved and general admission seating available.